Compressive Behavior of Concrete: Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation Using Discrete Element Method

This paper focuses on the compressive behavior of concrete in case of experimental study and modeling using discrete element method (DEM). The experimental behavior of concrete samples with different fabricated gradations is firstly carried out following ASTM C469. Then, the DEM is used to simulate this behavior. With the DEM, the concrete sample is simulated by the assembly of spheres. The simulating results are compared with the experimental results to verify the discrete element model. In addition, mechanical behavior as well as the propagation of cracks and destruction of material are clearly shown regardless of the meshing as finite elements. This study shows the ability of the discrete element model to simulate the concrete behavior and also the ability to develop the constitutive laws of the model in order to simulate concrete structures.